Dedicated camera functions for host devices

ABSTRACT

Embodiments generally relate to a camera. In one embodiment, the camera includes a lens for enabling the camera to capture at least one image. The camera also includes a connector for mounting the camera onto a phone and for enabling the camera to communicate with the phone. The camera also includes a shutter button for triggering the camera to capture the least one image. The camera also activates the phone and puts the phone into a camera mode when the shutter button is pressed.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 61/569,155 entitled, “Dedicated Camera Functions For HostDevice,” filed Dec. 9, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by referenceas if set forth in full in this application for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Many conventional smart phones include a built-in digital camera. Abuilt-in camera enables a user to use a smart phone for taking pictureswithout having to carry around a separate camera. A typical smart phoneincludes a camera lens and camera application, among other components.The display screen is used as a viewfinder and typically has atouch-screen shutter button.

To take a picture, a user typically pushes a button to turn the smartphone on or to wake the smart phone up if the smart phone is in sleepmode. Once the smart phone is on, or activated, the user then scrollsthrough a menu to find a camera application and then pushes a button tolaunch the camera application. The user may then have to select to turna flash on or off, select video or still image mode, compose the picturein the display, etc. Additional controls may need to be manipulated oractions taken before the user can take a picture.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, one or more camera functions are provided to adevice. The device may be or include a phone, tablet computer or otherhandheld computing device, laptop computer or other movable computer,game console, music player, digital or analog camera, Global PositioningSystem (GPS) device, etc. The provided camera function(s) can providenew camera functionality to a host device or the provided camerafunction(s) may provide an improvement over camera functionality that isalready present in the host device.

In one embodiment, a provided camera is a separate device from a hostdevice such as a smart phone. The provided camera can be attached to ordetached from the host device. The provided camera can be electronicallycoupled and mechanically attached to the smart phone or other device byusing an electrical or data port or connector such as a UniversalSynchronous Bus (USB) port. Other ports, plugs or connectors can beused. If a data connector is used to couple the provided camera to thehost device then data can be exchanged between the two devices via thedata connector. Otherwise, data can be exchanged with a wirelessconnection.

In one embodiment, the provided camera includes a viewfinder (e.g., witha lens or simply a through-hole), shutter button, lens, imaging device(e.g., a charge-coupled device or CCD), to take a picture the usersimply looks through the viewfinder and presses the shutter button.There is no delay in powering up the phone or other host device andnavigating to a camera function. Upon depressing the shutter button, asignal can be sent to the phone to activate the phone and start to putthe phone into camera mode so that the user can transition to using thephone's camera or a camera function on the phone. When a picture istaken with the provided camera, the picture information can betransferred to the phone so that it is viewable and can be manipulatedwithin the phone's user interface. Other features are described below

An alternative embodiment allows the provided phone to be mounted to thecamera more permanently than by using a data or electrical connector.For example, the provided camera can be integrated into a rear coverthat snaps onto the phone (or other host device). The rear cover caninclude a protrusion out the top, bottom or side(s) of the phone and oneor more protrusions can variously include the viewfinder, shuttercontrol, imaging device, lens, memory, communications electronics,control electronics, processor, etc.

Yet another alternative embodiment allows provided camera functions tobe included within the standard body of a host device. For example, anyone or more of the functions and parts described herein for the providedcamera can be incorporated into the cell phone at a time of originalmanufacture. By allowing redundant or additional hardware or softwarefor the camera function the user may be provided with faster access tothe camera function, lower power requirements, higher accuracy orresolution, etc. As described in more detail below, the variouscomponents and functions of the provided camera can work in addition toor in conjunction with any existing camera and picture functions withinthe host device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective-view diagram of an example externalcamera, which is detached from a smart phone, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective-view diagram of the external camera,which is attached to the smart phone, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the external camera, which may beused to implement the embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example simplified flow diagram showing theoperation of an external camera, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of dedicated camera hardware, whichis integrated into a smart phone, and which may be used to implement theembodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein enable provide different levels of cameraimprovement or functionality. Typically, a device such as a cell phoneor tablet has a camera that takes a few seconds to access. Often inthose few second the opportunity to take a picture has been lost. Anyimprovement in speed, simplicity, cost or other advantage of taking apicture can be valuable to a user. In some embodiments, the providedcamera functionality facilitates taking instant or near-instant picturesor videos (i.e., reduced waiting time for the camera or host device torespond).

In one embodiment, a small external digital camera is mounted onto asmart phone. Even when the smart phone is off or in sleep mode, a usermay quickly take pictures or videos using the external camera. In oneembodiment, the external camera has a connector for mounting theexternal camera onto a smart phone and for enabling the external camerato communicate with the smart phone. A viewfinder, or even a simplethrough-hole for framing a picture, can be included in the externalcamera so that the user does not have to wait for the host device'sdisplay screen to power up before composing and taking a picture. In aparticular embodiment, the external camera also has a dedicated shutterbutton for triggering the external camera to capture images or videos.When the shutter button is pressed, the external camera capturespictures or videos, and also activates the smart phone and initiatesputting the smart phone into a camera mode. However, while the smartphone is powering up and transitioning to a camera mode the user canalready be taking pictures with the external camera. The external cameracan transfer pictures and videos to the smart phone via wired orwireless communications. If desired, a user may eventually switch totaking pictures using the smart phone or use applications of the smartphone in conjunction with taking pictures using the external camera.

Any suitable type of connector can be used to secure the camera to thesmart phone or other host device. For example, a Universal SynchronousBus (USB) connector, mini or micro-USB connector or other standard plug,jack or connector, iPhone dock connector or other proprietary connector,serial or parallel port, power connection with data ability, etc. can beused. In other embodiments, the camera can be mounted to the host deviceby any practicable means such as clipping onto a part of the host deviceand the mounting does not have to use an existing plug or connector ofthe host device. The securing can be done all or in part by friction,adhesive, mechanical fastening, magnetic attachment, etc.

The camera also includes a shutter button for triggering the camera tocapture the least one image. In some embodiments, the shutter button canbe a button on the host device itself if the host device and the cameraare in data communication with each other then the act of pressing thehost device button can be sent to the camera and the camera can take apicture in response. In a particular embodiment, the act of pressing theshutter button on the camera also activates the phone and begins to putthe phone into a camera mode. Once a picture has been taken the picturedata can automatically be transferred to the phone. The picture transfercan start immediately upon the camera starting an image capture or thetransfer can start at a later time, or need not occur at all until theuser performs additional actions such as initiating a file transferlater on.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective-view diagram of an example externalcamera 100, which is detached from a smart phone 102, according to oneembodiment. As shown, external camera 100 includes a camera body 104, acamera lens 106, a viewfinder 108, a shutter button 110 (also referredto as an electronic shutter release button), a universal serial bus(USB) port 112, and a connector 114. Viewfinder 108 facilitates a userin aiming external camera 100 when taking pictures. In one embodiment,viewfinder 108 may have an aspect ratio that is the same aspect ratio(e.g., same height-width proportions) as the display screen on the smartphone.

In one embodiment, viewfinder 108 may merely be a through-hole thatapproximates the field of view of capture of the external camera. Such asimple viewfinder can have advantages, for example, such that a displayscreen does not need to be powered up prior to use, or that viewfinderoptics need not be fabricated into the external camera. In otherembodiments, the viewfinder may take on different forms such as byincluding electronics or optics, as desired.

Camera lens 106 enables external camera 100 to capture images. Asdescribed in more detail below, shutter button 110 triggers camera 100to capture images. Images may include picture (photographic) images andvideo images. Connector 114 enables external camera 100 to be to mountedonto smart phone 102 and provides both a physical mounting and anelectrical signal connection. Such a dual-purpose connection allows datato be exchanged between components within smart phone 102 and externalcamera 100. In other embodiments, other types of connectors or mountingscan be used to secure (either removably or permanently) the externalcamera to the phone. The method of mounting may allow an electricalconnection so that data or other signals can be exchanged, or themounting may be only mechanical so that hardwired signals are notprovided by the mounting. In cases where hardwired signal exchange isnot provided (in whole or in part) then wireless communications betweenthe phone and the external camera components can be used for dataexchange.

In FIG. 1, the phone's back side is shown. As is known in the art, theback side of a typical smartphone is the side that includes the maincamera and flash. The front side of a smartphone (not shown) wouldinclude the display screen for user touch input and also a front-facingcamera that is usually of a lower resolution than the back-facingcamera. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the external camera 100 has alens that is positioned in the same direction as the back-facing cameralens 122 of the phone. This arrangement allows the user to view thedisplay screen of the phone while pointing the lens of the externalcamera in the desired direction to take a picture and also use theviewfinder without having to turn the phone over. In other embodiments,the external camera lens 100 may be positioned in the same direction asthe phone's front-facing camera, as desired.

In one embodiment, external camera 100 may pivot at line 118 and aroundaxis 120 in order to enable camera lens 106 to face the other side ofsmart phone 102. In one embodiment, external camera 100 may have asecond shutter button (not shown) on the opposite portion of externalcamera 100. As such, when external camera 100 is pivoted, the secondshutter button is in an accessible location (e.g., where shutter button110 is shown). In various embodiments, smart phone 102 may have a singlecamera lens 122 as well as a second camera lens (not shown) on the backside of smart phone 102.

For ease of illustration, embodiments of FIG. 1 and other figuresdescribed herein show particular camera components. Various embodimentsmay not have all of the components shown and/or may have other elementsincluding other types of camera components instead of, or in additionto, those shown herein. Also, the various camera components may bepositioned and/or configured in various ways, depending on theparticular implementations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective-view diagram of external camera 100,which is attached to the smart phone 102, according to one embodiment.In various embodiments, external cameral 100 stays mounted on smartphone 102 by default. In one embodiment, connector 114 (not shown)includes electronic circuitry that enables connector 114 to function asa data port. For example, in one embodiment, once mounted onto smartphone 102, external camera 100 may communicate with smart phone 102 viaconnector 114. In one embodiment, the electronic circuitry of connector114 makes a mechanical contact with (internal within camera body 104) toUSB port 112. In various embodiments, external camera 100 enables smartphone 102 to detect and communicate with a USB device when the USBdevice is connected to USB port 112. This enables external camera 100 tofunction as an intermediary device between smart phone 102 and anotherexternal device, as data and control signals may be routed between dataport 116 of smart phone 102 and USB port 112. A benefit of USB port 112is that smart phone 102 can communicate with camera 100 and anotherexternal device simultaneously using the same data port 116. In oneembodiment, camera 100 may also communicate with another external devicevia USB port 112.

While embodiments are described herein in the context of external camera100 communicating with smart phone 102 via connector 114, other ways forcommunicating are possible. For example, in one embodiment, externalcamera 100 may include circuitry for wireless communication (e.g.,Bluetooth), which external camera 100 may use to communicate with smartphone 102 or other external devices.

As shown in FIG. 2, external camera 100 is mounted onto the end of smartphone 102. In alternative embodiments, external camera 100 may bemounted onto other portions of a smart phone (e.g., on the side, etc.)where a smart phone data port may exist. Other locations are alsopossible. For example, in embodiments involving wireless communication,external camera 100 may be integrated into the body of a smart phone(e.g., in the phone back plate). In some embodiments, external camera100 may be integrated into a case for a smart phone. Embodimentsdirected to external camera 100 being integrated into a smart phone caseis described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 5. In someembodiments, external camera 100 may be mounted onto or integrated intoa flip-out portion or a slide-out portion of a smart phone, where a usermay slide or rotate the flip-out portion or slide-out portion of thesmart phone to activate the external camera.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the external camera 100, which maybe used to implement the embodiments described herein. In oneembodiment, external camera 100 may include a control unit 302, a memory304, and an application 306. Application 306 may be stored on memory 304or on any other suitable storage location or computer-readable medium orstorage device. In one embodiment, memory 304 is a non-volatile memory(e.g., random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, etc.). Application 306provides instructions that enable control unit 302 to perform thefunctions described herein. In one embodiment, external camera 100 mayinclude an operating system 308, and control unit 302 may include aprocessor (not shown). In one embodiment, control unit 302 may includelogic circuitry (not shown) in addition to or in lieu of a processor.

In one embodiment, external camera 100 also includes an image captureunit 310, which includes an image sensor 312 and an aperture 314. Imagesensor 312 captures images when image sensor 312 is exposed to lightpassing through camera lens 106 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Aperture 314 regulateslight passing through camera lens 106. In one embodiment, after externalcamera 100 captures images, external camera 100 may store the images inan image library 316 in memory 304.

In one embodiment, external camera 100 may be powered by a battery 318(e.g., button/coin cell battery). In one embodiment, external camera 100may also be powered by a smart phone when mounted/connected.

In other embodiments, external camera 100 may not have all of thecomponents listed and/or may have other components instead of, or inaddition to, those listed above.

The components of external camera 100 shown in FIG. 3 may be implementedby one or more processors or any combination of hardware devices, aswell as any combination of hardware, software, firmware, etc. Forexample, once the smart phone is on, a processor and application on thesmart phone may be used to control external camera 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example simplified flow diagram showing theoperation of external camera 100, according to one embodiment. Referringto FIGS. 1-4, a method is initiated in block 402, where external camera100 detects shutter button 110 being pressed (e.g., as a user pressesshutter button 110).

In block 404, external camera 100 captures one or more images inresponse to detecting shutter button 110 being pressed. In oneembodiment, pressing shutter button 110 both activates external camera100 and triggers external camera 100 to capture images. Images mayinclude pictures (e.g., one or more images) or video (e.g., a series ofimages). In other words, multiple images may include multiplepicture/photo images or video images.

In block 406, external camera 100 stores the one or more images inmemory 304 on external camera 100. In one embodiment, the images go intoimage library 316 of memory 304.

In block 408, external camera 100 activates smart phone 102. Even whensmart phone 102 is still off or in sleep mode, a user may quickly takepictures or video using external camera 100 while waiting for smartphone 102 to become activated. In one embodiment, external camera 100automatically activates smart phone 102 when shutter button 110 isinitially pressed to capture images. The activation of the phone by theexternal camera can be done as soon as possible so that the delay in thephone being placed into it's camera mode or application is reduced. Thephone can be activated or otherwise placed into its camera mode from thephone's off state, hibernating or sleep state, low-power or power-savingstate, and from a state of executing any non-camera application (e.g.,email, voice, game, web browsing, etc.).

In block 410, external camera 100 puts smart phone 102 into camera mode.In one embodiment, camera mode includes both picture and videofunctionality. In one embodiment, putting smart phone 102 into cameramode may include navigating to a camera application on smart phone 102.In one embodiment, control unit 302 of external camera 100 navigates tothe camera application and launches the camera application. In anotherembodiment, control unit 302 of external camera 100 causes smart phone102 to navigate to the camera application and to launch the cameraapplication.

As shown in FIG. 4, the process along the path of steps 404 and 406 mayoccur substantially simultaneously as the process along the path ofsteps 408 and 410.

Although the steps, operations, or computations may be presented in aspecific order, the order may be changed in particular embodiments. Forexample, in various embodiments, the process along the path of steps 404and 406 may occur before the process along the path of steps 408 and410, and vice versa, depending on the specific implementation. Otherorderings of the steps are possible, depending on the particularimplementation. In some particular embodiments, multiple steps shown assequential in this specification may be performed at the same time.

Once the phone application is launched, the user may take pictures witheither external camera 100 or smart phone 102, or both. In oneembodiment, the user may use the display screen of smart phone 100 as aviewfinder, while taking pictures using external camera 100 and/or smartphone 102. The user may also access various applications on smart phone102 while taking pictures with external camera 100.

In block 412, external camera 100 transfers the one or more images to astorage location on the smart phone 102. In one embodiment, externalcamera 100 automatically transfers all images stored on external camera100 to a storage location on smart phone 102 once smart phone 102 isactivated. In one embodiment, once smart phone 102 is activated,external camera 100 may also store images directly in a storage locationof smart phone 102 as external camera 100 captures each image. In oneembodiment, the images may go into an image library in the storagelocation of smart phone 102. In one embodiment, external camera 100 mayperiodically transfer images to a backup location, which may be inmemory 304 of external camera 100 or in any suitable storage location onsmart phone 102.

In one embodiment, external camera 100 may be programmed by a user toenable the user to manually initiate a transfer of images stored onmemory 304 of external camera 100 to the storage location on smart phone102. Similarly, external camera 100 may be programmed by a user toenable the user to manually initiate a transfer of images stored onsmart phone 102 to memory 304 of external camera 100. In one embodiment,external camera 100 may function as a memory stick in that a user maytransfer any type of data (in addition to images) from smart phone 102to external camera 100. In one embodiment, the data (e.g., images)stored on external camera 100 may be transferred directly to a computer.This may be achieved via USB port 112 (FIG. 1) or connector 114 (usingappropriate connectors) or wirelessly (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.).

In various embodiments, communication between external camera 100 andsmart phone 102 includes transferring data and control signals. Thetransfer of control signals in both directions (e.g., from externalcamera 100 to smart phone 102, and from smart phone 102 to externalcamera 100) enables external camera 100 and smart phone 102 to sharecontrol of various functions. For example, as indicated above, externalcamera 100 may send control signals to smart phone 102 in order toactivate smart phone 102, cause smart phone 102 to navigate to a cameraapplication (or other application), and launch the camera application(or other application). In another embodiment, external camera 100 mayenable an application (e.g., camera application, etc.) of smart phone102 to configure external camera 100. For example, control settingsstored in smart phone 102 (e.g., auto focus, image stabilization,vibration reduction, flash, lens options, filters, zoom, resolution,etc.) may be used to configure external camera 100 or control variousparameters when external camera 100 is used for taking pictures orvideo. Various applications on smart phone 102 may be used to controlexternal camera 100. In one embodiment, external camera 100 may includea flash. In some embodiments, external camera 100 may use a flash ofsmart phone 100 while external camera 100 its taking pictures or videos.

In one embodiment, external camera 100 may have default settings or adefault settings profile (e.g., auto focus, image stabilization,vibration reduction, flash, lens options, filters, zoom, resolution,etc.), which may be changed using a camera application on smart phone102.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of dedicated camera hardware 500,which is integrated into a smart phone, and which may be used toimplement the embodiments described herein. In one embodiment, dedicatedcamera hardware 500 may include a control unit 502, an operating system504, and a memory 506. A camera application 508 and an image library 510may be stored on memory 506 or on any other suitable storage location orcomputer-readable medium or storage device. In one embodiment, memory506 is a non-volatile memory (e.g., random-access memory (RAM), flashmemory, etc.). Camera application 508 provides instructions that enablecontrol unit 502 to perform some of the functions described herein.Control unit 502 may include a processor (not shown). In one embodiment,control unit 502 may include logic circuitry (not shown) in addition toor in lieu of a processor.

As indicated above, dedicated camera hardware 500 is integrated into asmart phone 520, or any other suitable cell phone. In variousembodiments, dedicated camera hardware 500 communicates with smart phone520, and may be powered by smart phone 520.

In one embodiment, smart phone 520 may include a control unit 522, anoperating system 524, and a memory 526. A phone application 528 may bestored on memory 526 or on any other suitable storage location orcomputer-readable medium or storage device. In one embodiment, memory526 is a non-volatile memory (e.g., random-access memory (RAM), flashmemory, etc.). Phone application 528 provides instructions that enablecontrol unit 522 to perform some of the functions described herein.Control unit 522 may include a processor (not shown). In one embodiment,control unit 522 may include logic circuitry (not shown) in addition toor in lieu of a processor.

For example, if a processor is used for a dedicated camera function, thededicated camera processor would be the second processor in the phone.The first processor in the phone is the typical processor that is usedto provide the phone's function such as to make calls, executeapplications, etc. Depending on the design tradeoffs of cost, speed,quality, etc., various amounts and types of dedicated camera hardwarecan be included into a phone's hardware design. The interactions andbenefits realized by the internal dedicated camera hardware can be asdescribed above for the external camera embodiments.

In one embodiment, smart phone 520 also includes an image capture unit540, which includes an image sensor 542 and an aperture 544. Imagesensor 542 captures images when image sensor 542 is exposed to lightpassing through a camera lens (not shown). Aperture 544 regulates lightpassing through the camera lens. In one embodiment, after dedicatedcamera hardware 500 captures images, dedicated camera hardware 500 maystore the images in image library 510 in memory 506, or in image library548 in memory 526, or in any suitable image library.

In various embodiments, dedicated camera hardware 500 may not have allof the components listed and/or may have other components instead of, orin addition to, those listed above.

The components of dedicated camera hardware 500 shown in FIG. 5 may beimplemented by one or more processors or any combination of hardwaredevices, as well as any combination of hardware, software, firmware,etc. For example, once the smart phone is on, a processor andapplication on the smart phone may be used to control external camera100.

In various embodiments, while dedicated camera hardware 500 may shareimage capture unit 540 and shutter button unit 546 with smart phone 520,dedicated camera hardware 500 operates independently from smart phone520. This enables the user to quickly access dedicated camera hardware500 in order to take photos or videos.

In various embodiments, shutter button 546 is instantly available to theuser to take photos. Shutter button 546 may be a dedicated button and isimmediately available to the user even when smart phone 520 is not yetavailable.

Embodiments described herein provide various benefits. For example,embodiments enable a user to take pictures instantly without needing toturn a smart phone on and waiting to set up the smart phone for takingpictures. Embodiments of the external camera also take up littleadditional space on a smart phone.

Embodiments described herein have multiple applications. For example, inone embodiment, external camera 100 and smart phone 102 may be used forstereo camera applications. For example, in one embodiment, externalcamera 100 and smart phone 102 may implement a 3-dimensional (3D)camera. In one embodiment, external camera 100 provides one camera lens,and smart phone 102 provides another lens, where both external camera100 and smart phone 102 may take pictures and/or video of the samesubject matter simultaneously. The pictures and/or video from each ofexternal camera 100 and smart phone 102 may then be processed (e.g., bycontrol unit 302 of FIG. 3 or by a processor in smart phone 102) forvarious applications.

In another stereo camera application, external camera 100 and smartphone 102 may be used for sliding games. For example, two or more users,each with a smart phone and attached external camera, may play gameswith their smart phones, where the users slide their smart phones on asurface (e.g., a table, a floor, etc.). Each smart phone may represent,for example, a vehicle that can race or battle another vehicle/smartphone. In one embodiment, when smart phone 102 with attached externalcamera 100 is placed on the surface and the camera lenses are facing thesurface, external camera 100 and smart phone 102 may take videos of thesurface in order to track the relative position of the smart phone 102.

In another stereo application, external camera 100 and smart phone 102may be used as an optical mouse. Similar to the sliding gamesapplication described above, when smart phone 102 with attached externalcamera 100 is placed on the surface and the camera lenses are facing thesurface, external camera 100 and smart phone 102 may take videos of thesurface in order to track the relative position of the smart phone 102as it functions as an optical mouse.

Although the description has been described with respect to particularembodiments thereof, these particular embodiments are merelyillustrative, and not restrictive. Any suitable programming language maybe used to implement the routines of particular embodiments including C,C++, Java, assembly language, etc. Different programming techniques maybe employed such as procedural or object-oriented. The routines mayexecute on a single processing device or on multiple processors.Although the steps, operations, or computations may be presented in aspecific order, the order may be changed in particular embodiments. Insome particular embodiments, multiple steps shown as sequential in thisspecification may be performed at the same time.

Particular embodiments may be implemented in whole or in part asexecutable instructions in a computer-readable storage device (alsoreferred to as a machine-readable storage device) for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.Particular embodiments may be implemented in the form of control logicin software or hardware or a combination of both. The control logic,when executed by one or more processors, may be operable to perform thatwhich is described in particular embodiments.

A “processor” includes any suitable hardware and/or software system,mechanism or component that processes data, signals or otherinformation. A processor may include a system with a general-purposecentral processing unit, multiple processing units, dedicated circuitryfor achieving functionality, or other systems. Processing need not belimited to a geographic location, or have temporal limitations. Forexample, a processor may perform its functions in “real time,”“offline,” in a “batch mode,” etc. Portions of processing may beperformed at different times and at different locations, by different(or the same) processing systems. A computer may be any processor incommunication with a memory. The memory may be any suitableprocessor-readable storage medium or device, such as random-accessmemory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic or optical disk, or othertangible media suitable for storing instructions for execution by theprocessor.

Particular embodiments may be implemented by using a programmed generalpurpose digital computer, by using application specific integratedcircuits, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays,optical, chemical, biological, quantum or nanoengineered systems,components and mechanisms. In general, the functions of particularembodiments may be achieved by any means known in the art. Distributed,networked systems, components, and/or circuits may be used.Communication or transfer of data may be wired, wireless, or by anyother means.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted inthe drawings/figures may also be implemented in a more separated orintegrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certaincases, as may be useful in accordance with a particular application. Itis also within the spirit and scope to implement a program or code thatis stored in a machine-readable storage device to permit a computer toperform any of the methods described above.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,“a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein andthroughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and“on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

While one or more implementations have been described by way of exampleand in terms of the specific embodiments, it is to be understood thatthe implementations are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To thecontrary, they are intended to cover various modifications and similararrangements as would be apparent to those skilled in the art.Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded thebroadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications andsimilar arrangements.

Thus, while particular embodiments have been described herein, latitudesof modification, various changes, and substitutions are intended in theforegoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instancessome features of particular embodiments will be employed without acorresponding use of other features without departing from the scope andspirit as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapta particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cell phone comprising: a display screen,memory, and a user input device; a first processor coupled to thedisplay screen, memory, and a user input device, wherein the firstprocessor executes instructions to allow a user to operate the cellphone to make calls; and a second processor coupled to a shutter signalfor taking pictures with a camera, wherein the second processor executesinstructions to take a picture with the camera in response to theshutter signal.
 2. The cell phone of claim 1, wherein the cameratransfers the picture from an image library of the camera to the memoryon the cell phone when the cell phone is activated.
 3. The cell phone ofclaim 1, wherein the picture comprises video images.
 4. An apparatuscomprising: a display screen, memory, and a user input device; a firstprocessor coupled to the display screen, memory, and user input device,wherein the first processor executes instructions to allow a user tooperate a cell phone to make calls; and a second processor coupled to ashutter signal for taking pictures with a camera, wherein the secondprocessor executes instructions to take a picture with the camera inresponse to the shutter signal.
 5. The apparatus phone of claim 4,wherein the camera transfers the picture from an image library of thecamera to the memory on the cell phone when the cell phone is activated.6. The apparatus phone of claim 4, wherein the picture comprises videoimages.